Falstaff, Op. 68

Composer: ELGAR, Sir Edward

Quick Facts

  • A “symphonic study” (a character study via symphony, similar to a tone poem) in c minor based on the comic character from Shakespeare’s Henry IV (Parts I and II) and Henry V.
  • The piece is organized into four larger sections:
    1. Falstaff and Prince Henry
    2. Eastcheap – Gadshill – The Boar’s Head. Revelry and sleep – Dream Interlude
    3. Falstaff’s march – The return through Gloucestershire –Interlude: Gloucestershire. Shallow’s orchard –The new king – The hurried ride to London
    4. King Henry V’s progress – The repudiation of Falstaff, and his death
  • Written between 1912-13
  • Premiered at the 1913 Leeds Festival (which had commissioned the work) and conducted by the composer
  • Dedicated to conductor and pianist Sir Landon Ronald1

About the Piece

  • Elgar wrote that he enjoyed writing Falstaff “more than any other music I have ever composed and perhaps for that reason it may prove to be among my best efforts.”
    • Interestingly, the piece was considered a failure at its premiere and wouldn’t be appreciated by audiences until several years later.2
    • The failure was likely at least partially due to rehearsal practices (or lack of them) at the time. Given the complex difficulty and density of the work, the orchestra probably didn’t have enough time to master the score.3
  • Elgar’s portrait of Falstaff is unexpected – the composer seems protective of Falstaff’s character, portraying the comedic figure as a gentleman. Some musicologists attribute this take to Elgar’s Victorian upbringing.4

Sources

  1. “Falstaff, Op.68 (Elgar, Edward),” IMSLP, accessed March 28, 2023, https://imslp.org/wiki/Falstaff,Op.68(Elgar,_Edward).
  2. Michael Kennedy, Notes in accompanying booklet, Falstaff & Other Works performed by The Hallé Orchestra conducted by Sir Mark Elder, Hyperion 7505, 2004, compact disc.
  3. Anthony Burton, Notes in accompanying booklet, Elgar: Sea Pictures / Falstaff performed by the Staatskapelle Berlin conducted by Daniel Barenboim, Decca 4850968, 2020, compact disc.
  4. Diana McVeagh, “Elgar, Sir Edward,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed March 28, 2023, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000008709.

Cut IDs

15924